The Yoruba were brought to Cuba as slaves during the 16th and 17th centuries. To preserve their cultural heritage, they combined their traditional religious practices with the Catholicism imposed by their Spanish colonizers. This resulted in the emergence of Santería.
Santería is known for its use of music and dance in religious rituals, as well as its elaborate and colorful ceremonies. It also incorporates the worship of various deities, known as orishas, who are believed to mediate between humans and the Supreme Being.
Santería has a strong belief in the power of herbal remedies, rituals, and ceremonies to bring good fortune, protect against evil, and heal illnesses. It continues to be practiced by a significant portion of the Cuban population, as well as by people of Cuban descent in other countries around the world.